Unitary projector player

ABSTRACT

A self-contained unitary audio-visual entertainment center having a housing containing a sound film projector, a translucent screen in one wall of the housing on which the films are rearprojected, and a film cartridge selector mechanism for injecting and ejecting a plurality of film cartridges sequentially or selectively into the projector. The cartridge selector mechanism includes an index drum adapted to rotate in a horizontal plane and formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets for retaining the film cartridges, and also having a cam mechanism which includes a star-shaped groove and a horizontally reciprocating indexing pin engaging the groove and effective for each horizontal stroke to index another film cartridge to a proper station for insertion into the projector-player.

United States Patent [191 Anderson Nov. 13, 1973 UNITARY PROJECTOR PLAYER [76] lnventor: Ray C. Anderson, 6655 S. New

Haven, Tulsa, Okla. 74136 22 Filed: Sept. 27, 1971 2! Appl. No.: 183,957

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,508,818 4/1970 Freid et a1. 352/123 2,250,297 7/1941 Ditty et a1 353/107 2,375,706 5/1945 Stechbart et a1 353/117 2,625,073 l/1953 Young et a1. 352/123 2,539,521 l/l951 Owens 274/4 F 2,146,452 2/1939 Spindler.... 353/117 3,604,713 9/1971 Karnopp.... 179/1002 Z 3,524,949 8/1970 Kleve 352/8 X 3,599,986 8/1971 Ban 274/4 F 3,383,156 5/1968 Fried et al. 352/8 X Primary ExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Alan Mathews Att0rneyFrank R. Thienpont [57] ABSTRACT A self-contained unitary audio-visual entertainment center having a housing containing a sound film projector, a translucent screen in one wall of the housing on which the films are rear-projected, and a film cartridge selector mechanism for injecting and ejecting a plurality of film cartridges sequentially or selectively into the projector. The cartridge selector mechanism includes an index drum adapted to rotate in a horizontal plane and formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets for retaining the film cartridges, and also having a cam mechanism which includes a star-shaped groove and a horizontally reciprocating indexing pin engaging the groove and effective for each horizontal stroke to index another film cartridge to a proper station for insertion into the projectorplayer.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDNuv 13 ms sum 2 0r 4 PATENIEIJuuv 13 I915 3.771.859 SHEET 3 OF 4 1 UNITARY PROJECTOR PLAYER This invention relates tothe field of motion picture projector units and more particularly to projectorplayers of there movable film strip magazine type having cartridge selection and ejection mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal object of the present invention is to provide a unitary self-contained audio-visual device to function as a complete entertainment unit, and including a housing, a rear-projection screen in one wall of the housing, sound apparatus, projector apparatus, and an automatic cartridge change mechanism for automatically injecting and ejecting film cartridges or cassettes into and out of the film projector.

A more particular object is to provide an improved cartridge change mechanism for the projector including a cartridge holding drum disposed to rotate in a horizontal plane, and indexing means associated with said drum for positioning the drum with respect to the projector for selectively injecting into and ejecting cartridges from the projector.

A still more particular object is to provide an indexing mechanism associated with the cartridge drum including a star-shaped cam follower groove formed in one side of said drum, and a horizontally linearly reciprocating cam pin engaging said groove and effective to cause rotational indexing of the drum.

It is an additional object toprovide a film cartridge or cassette generally in the form of a flat, semicylindrical shell and having a depending flange on one side thereof adapted to be engaged by a horizontally reciprocating drive mechanism for injecting the cartridge into and ejecting it from the projector.

It is a further object of the nvention to provide a rotatable indexing drum of the type described and two horizontally linearly reciprocating drive mechanisms, one for indexing the drum and the other for injecting and ejecting the cartridges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The complete projector-player embodiment disclosed herein is designated generally by the numeral and comprises a housing 11, a projector 12, a screen 13, a speaker 14, and a cartridge selector mechanism 15. The housing 11 is provided with a hinged lid 16 to permit easy access for loading and unloading the selector mechanism with a plurality of film cartridges 17. The screen 13 is translucent of the rear-projection type and is mounted in one .wall of the housing 11. The film cartridges 17 are injected by the selector mechanism 15 into the projector 12 and the pictures on the film are projected onto the screen 13.

A unit of this same general type is described in my pending application for U.S. Letters Pat. Ser. No. 171,130 filed on Aug. 12, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,940.

The cartridge selector mechanism 15 comprises a cartridge index drum 20, a drum drive mechanism 21 for rotating the index drum 20, and a cartridge drive mechanism 22 for injecting and ejecting the cartridges 17. The index drum is generally circular in configuration and is formed with a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced pockets or indentations 23 for holding the cartridges 17. The drum 20 is also formed with a plurality of rectangular perforations or openings 24 through the bottom of each of the indentations 23. The drum 20 is supported on a vertical cylindrical shaft 25 which in turn is supported to rotate within a vertical cylindrical bearing 26 mounted within the housing 11. A

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view, partially cut away, of the projector-player of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view, taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the cartridge index drum;

FIG. 3 is an inverted view of the'index drum shownin FIG. 2; 4

FIG. 3A is an edge view of the index drum showing some details of construction;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion of the cam groove; FIG. 4 is a right end view showing the drive mechanism for the index drum taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a left end view showing the cartridge insertion mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a cartridge shell adapted for use with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the cartridge taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

lock collar 27 is fixedly attached to the shaft 25 and bears against the upper surface 28 of the bearing 26. Appropriate means are used to attach the drum 20 to the shaft 25 such, for example, as by a key 29 and nut 30.

The index drum 20 has formed on its underside a continuous groove 31, generally in the form of a fourpointed star. The groove 31 receives an index drive pin 32 carried by the drum drive mechanism 21 and operates to rotate and properly position tye drum 20 for the injection of successive cartridges 17. The groove 31 in the form of a four pointed star can accommodate a total of either cartridges 17, as shown; however, it should be understood that the number of such points and cartridges is a matter of design dependent on the relative size of the drum 20 and cartridges 17. As designed, the groove 31 and drum 20 can accommodate two cartridges 17 for each point in the groove 31.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the drum drive mechanism 21 comprises a base block 35 mounted within the housing 11, a slide plate 36 disposed to slide horizontally on top of the block 35 and carrying the drive index pin 32, and an electric drive motor 37 also carried by the plate 36. The slide plate 36 is constrained to move in one dimension by a pair of overlying flange rails 38 secured to the base block 35.

The slide plate 36 is caused to move back and forth longitudinally by the drive motor 37. The motor 37 has a drive shaft 40 which carries a pinion gear 41. The block 35 is formed with a well 42 for accommodating the motor 37, and with an elongate longitudinal slot 43 through which the motor shaft 40 extends. The gear 41 engages a rack 44 mounted on a horizontal ledge 45 on the side of the block 35. l

In addition to the center shaft 35, the index drum 20 may be supported by four upright pillars 48 mounted within the housing 11 and each carrying a support'pad 49 at the upper end thereof. The pads 49 permit angular rotation of the index drum 20, but provide sufficient frictional drag to prevent overshoot or misalignment of the index drum with respect to the cartridge entry slot in the projector 12. Other suitable index drum drag means may be provided. Suitable detent means associated with one or more of the pillars and engageable with the underside of the index drum also could be provided for properly locating the index drum.

Referring to FIG. 3, it should be noted that the points of the star in groove 31 are not symmetrical in configuration. In particular, the points 50 of the star defined by the inner wall 31a of groove 31 are cut off at an angle to provide a cam surface 510 for the index pin 32. Similarly, the interior points 52 defined by the outer wall 31b of the groove 31 are non-symmetrical. In particular, the points 52 are cut off at an angle at 53 to provide another cam surface 53a for the pin 32. The pionts 55 of the star formed by the outer wall of the groove 31 are rounded to conform to the shape of the index pin 32 and define a stroke limiting position for the pin 32. The interior points 56 of the star formed by the inner wall of the groove 31 are similarly rounded to receive the pin 31 and define a stroke limiting position for the opposite direction of travel of the pin 32.

The indexing motion of the selector mechanism 15 may now be described by referring to FIG. 3, bearing in mind that FIG. 3 is an inverted view of the index drum 20. When the motor 37 is energized for one direction of rotation, the gear 41 engaging the rack 44 causes the motor 37, slide plate 36, and index pin 32 to move forwardly, or to the left as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pin 32 engaging the groove 31 slides along cam surfaces 51a and 51b and causes the index drum 20 to rotate through an angular displacement until the pin reaches the interior point 56. In this case, the total angular displacement of the drum 20 is 45 for one stroke of the slide 36. Since the point 50 of the inner wall of groove 31 is cut off at an angle, the point 50 lies on one side of the center line defined by the motion of travel of the slide 36. v

During the reverse stroke, the motor 37 isenergized for the opposite direction of rotation and the slide 36 is caused to move back or to the right as shown in FIG. 1. During the reverse stroke the pin 32 slides along cam surfaces 53a and 53b forcing the index drum to turn through an angular displacement in the same direction as for the forward motion of travel of the slide 36. The drum continues to turn until the pin 32 reaches the stroke limiting position at the apex of one point of the star 55. The limit of movement of the pin 32 in each direction may be controlled by limit switches (not shown).

During the next forward stroke of the slide 36, the point 50 is offset from the center line of travel, and the pin 32 is caused to engage the next cam surface 510, again causing the drum 20 to turn in the same direction as described previously. The indexing motion thus defined is countinued until all of the cartridges have been played, or may be repeated as desired for selection of particular cartridges.

The cartridge drive mechanism 22 is similar to the drum drive mechanism 21 and comprises a base block 60, a slide plate 61 disposed to slide horizontally on top formed with a transverse slot 66 adapted to engage a portion of a film cartridge 17.

It will be appreciated that in both of the drive mechanisms 21 and 22 the driving motor could be stationary and the racks secured to the side plates 36 and 61.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the film cartridge 17 adapted for use with the present invention is seen to comprise a generally flat, semi-circular outer shell and in integral depending tang or lug 71. The lug 71 is generally oval in cross-section and has curved sides 72 and 73, the radius of curvature being the respective distances from the center of the index drum 20.

The cartridges 17 are inserted into the pockets 23 of the drum 20 with the depending tang 71 extending through the aperture 24. As the drum 20 is turned by the drum drive mechanism 21, the tang 71 of one of the cartridges moves into the slot 66 of the slide block 62. The arcuate sides 72 and 73 of the tang 71 permit easy entry into the slot 66. When the cartridge 17 has been thus indexed into position, the motor 63 is energized and the gear 64 engaging the rack 65 causes the motor 63 and slide plate 61 to move forwardly, or to the left as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, injecting the cartridge 17 into the projector 12. Upon completion of the play of the film in the cartridge 17, a timer (not shown) or other appropriate means again permits the motor 63 to be energized in the opposite direction so as to retract the cartridge from the projector 12. The drum drive mechanism 21 is then actuated, as previously described, to move the next successive cartridge 17 into position for insertion into the projector 12.

It is to -be understood that the embodiment shown and described is by way of example only, and the invention is not to be considered as limited thereto except insofar as the claims may best) limited.

I claim: l. A self-contained automatic sound film projector apparatus comprising: a housing having a plurality of side walls; a cartridge sound film projector mounted within said housing; I

screen projection means mounted on one of said side walls for viewing-the pictures reproduced by said projector;

a cylindrical cartridge drum adapted to carry a plurality of film cartridges and rotatably mounted within said housing adjacent to said projector;

horizontally movable cartridge injection means for transporting said film cartridges from said drum and injecting same into said projector and subsequently returning said cartridges to said drum;

indexing means effective to rotate said drum through an angular displacement so as to position selectively said drum with respect to said projector for injecting and ejecting one of said cartridges; and

said indexing means including a horizontally reciprocating index pin and means defining on the face of said drum a continuous substantially star-shaped groove engageable by said index pin whereby linear motion of said index pin in said groove is effective to produce rotational motion of said drum.

spaced cartridge pockets formed in the outer periphery of said drum;

indexing means for effecting a predetermined angular displacement of said drum;

a linearly movable cartridge transport mechanism for moving the cartridges to and from said pockets of said drum;

a horizontally reciprocating index pin, and

means defining on the face of said drum a continuous substantially star-shaped groove engageable by said index pin whereby linear motion of said index pin in said groove is effective to produce rotational motion of said drum.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein:

said drum is formed with an aperture through each of said pockets, said opening being adapted to receive therethroug'h means operatively connecting the cartridge and said linearly movable transport mechanism.

4. The mechanism of claim 3 wherein:

said transport mechanism includes a horizontally reciprocating block and means on said block for engaging a cartridge adapted to be used with said mechanism.

5. The mechanism of claim 2 wherein said drum is formed with an aperture through each of said pockets and through which the tang of a cartridge can extend.

6. A self-contained automatic sound film projector apparatus comprising:

a housing having a plurality of side walls;

a cartridge sound film projector mounted within said housing;

screen projection means mounted on one of said side walls for viewing the pictures reproduced by said projector;

a cylindrical cartridge drum adapted to carry a plurality of film cartridges and rotatably mounted within said housing adjacent to said projector;

horizontally movable cartridge injection means for transporting said film cartridges from said drum and injecting same into said projector and subsequently returning said cartridges to said drum;

indexing means effecting to rotate said drum through an angular displacement so as to position selectively said drum with respect to said projector for injecting said ejecting one-of said cartridges;

a cam follower groove formed on one face of said drum; 1

a horizontally movable reciprocating indexing pin engaging said cam follower groove and effective during each horizontal movement to produce a predetermined angular rotation of said drum; and

a reversible electric motor operatively associated with said indexing pin and carrying a pinion gear in engagement with a rack and effective when energized to cause linear motion of said pin in said cam follower groove to thereby effect rotation of said drum.

7. A self-contained automatic sound film projector apparatus comprising:

a housing having a plurality of side walls;

a cartridge sound film projector mounted within said housing;

screen projection means mounted on one of said side walls for viewing the pitures reproduced by said projector;

a cylindrical cartridge drum adapted to carry a plurality of film cartridges and rotatably mounted within said housing adjacent to said projector;

horizontally movable cartridge injection means for transporting said film cartridges from said drum and injecting same into said projector and subsequently returning said cartridges to said drum;

indexing means effective to rotate said drum through an angular displacement so as to position selectively said drum with respect to said projector for injecting and ejecting one of said cartridges;

a cam follower groove formed on one face of said drum;

a horizontally movable reciprocating indexing pin engaging said cam follower groove and effective during each horizontal movement to produce a predetermined angular rotation of said drum; and

said cam follower groove is in the form of a continuous 'star=shaped track defining an apex at each point of the'star and at each interior angle of adjoining points of the star.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein:

said apex has the tip of the interior wall of each point and the tip of the exterior wall of each interior angle tapered or offset by a few degrees whereby said indexing pin engaging said groove is guided as it reciprocates so as .to produce rotation of said drum in only one direction.

9. A self-contained automatic sound film projector apparatus comprising: i

a housing having a plurality of side walls;

a cartridge sound film projector mounted within said housing;

screen projection means mounted on one of said side walls for viewing the pictures reproduced by said projector;

a cylindrical cartridge drum adapted to carry a plurality of film cartridges and rotatably mounted within said housing adjacent to said projector;

horizontally movable cartridge injection means for transporting said film cartridges from said drum and injecting same into said projector and subsequently returning said cartridges to said drum;

indexing means effective to rotate said drum through an angular displacement so as to position selectively said drum with respect to said projector for injecting and ejecting one of said cartridges;

an endless cam follower groove formed on one flat face of said drum, and

a linearly recirprocating' indexing pin continuously engaging said cam follower groove to move in a plane substantially parallel to said drum and effective during linear movement to produce a predetermined angular rotation of said drum. 

1. A self-contained automatic sound film projector apparatus comprising: a housing having a plurality of side walls; a cartridge sound film projector mounted within said housing; screen projection means mounted on one of said side walls for viewing the pictures reproduced by said projector; a cylindrical cartridge drum adapted to carry a plurality of film cartridges and rotatably mounted within said housing adjacent to said projector; horizontally movable cartridge injection means for transporting said film cartridges from said drum and injecting same into said projector and subsequently returning said cartridges to said drum; indexing means effective to rotate said drum through an angular displacement so as to position selectively said drum with respect to said projector for injecting and ejecting one of said cartridges; and said indexing means including a horizontally reciprocating index pin and means defining on the face of said drum a continuous substantially star-shaped groove engageable by said index pin whereby linear motion of said index pin in said groove is effective to produce rotational motion of said drum.
 2. A cartridge injection and ejection mechanism for continuous loop film cartridges having a depending tang formed integrally with the cartridge comprising: a flat cylindrical drum mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane; means defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced cartridge pockets formed in the outer periphery of said drum; indexing means for effecting a predetermined angular displacement of said drum; a linearly movable cartridge transport mechanism for moving the cartridges to and from said pockets of said drum; a horizontally reciprocating index pin, and means defining on the face of said drum a continuous substantially star-shaped groove engageable by said index pin whereby linear motion of said index pin in said groove is effective to produce rotational motion of said drum.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein: said drum is formed with an aperture through each of said pockets, said opening being adapted to receive therethrough means operatively connecting the cartridge and said linearly movable transport mechanism.
 4. The mechanism of claim 3 wherein: said transport mechanism includes a horizontally reciprocating block and means on said block for engaging a cartridge adapted to be used with said mechanism.
 5. The mechanism of claim 2 wHerein said drum is formed with an aperture through each of said pockets and through which the tang of a cartridge can extend.
 6. A self-contained automatic sound film projector apparatus comprising: a housing having a plurality of side walls; a cartridge sound film projector mounted within said housing; screen projection means mounted on one of said side walls for viewing the pictures reproduced by said projector; a cylindrical cartridge drum adapted to carry a plurality of film cartridges and rotatably mounted within said housing adjacent to said projector; horizontally movable cartridge injection means for transporting said film cartridges from said drum and injecting same into said projector and subsequently returning said cartridges to said drum; indexing means effecting to rotate said drum through an angular displacement so as to position selectively said drum with respect to said projector for injecting said ejecting one of said cartridges; a cam follower groove formed on one face of said drum; a horizontally movable reciprocating indexing pin engaging said cam follower groove and effective during each horizontal movement to produce a predetermined angular rotation of said drum; and a reversible electric motor operatively associated with said indexing pin and carrying a pinion gear in engagement with a rack and effective when energized to cause linear motion of said pin in said cam follower groove to thereby effect rotation of said drum.
 7. A self-contained automatic sound film projector apparatus comprising: a housing having a plurality of side walls; a cartridge sound film projector mounted within said housing; screen projection means mounted on one of said side walls for viewing the pictures reproduced by said projector; a cylindrical cartridge drum adapted to carry a plurality of film cartridges and rotatably mounted within said housing adjacent to said projector; horizontally movable cartridge injection means for transporting said film cartridges from said drum and injecting same into said projector and subsequently returning said cartridges to said drum; indexing means effective to rotate said drum through an angular displacement so as to position selectively said drum with respect to said projector for injecting and ejecting one of said cartridges; a cam follower groove formed on one face of said drum; a horizontally movable reciprocating indexing pin engaging said cam follower groove and effective during each horizontal movement to produce a predetermined angular rotation of said drum; and said cam follower groove is in the form of a continuous star-shaped track defining an apex at each point of the star and at each interior angle of adjoining points of the star.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein: said apex has the tip of the interior wall of each point and the tip of the exterior wall of each interior angle tapered or offset by a few degrees whereby said indexing pin engaging said groove is guided as it reciprocates so as to produce rotation of said drum in only one direction.
 9. A self-contained automatic sound film projector apparatus comprising: a housing having a plurality of side walls; a cartridge sound film projector mounted within said housing; screen projection means mounted on one of said side walls for viewing the pictures reproduced by said projector; a cylindrical cartridge drum adapted to carry a plurality of film cartridges and rotatably mounted within said housing adjacent to said projector; horizontally movable cartridge injection means for transporting said film cartridges from said drum and injecting same into said projector and subsequently returning said cartridges to said drum; indexing means effective to rotate said drum through an angular displacement so as to position selectively said drum with respect to said projector for injecting and ejecting one of said cartridges; an endlesS cam follower groove formed on one flat face of said drum, and a linearly recirprocating indexing pin continuously engaging said cam follower groove to move in a plane substantially parallel to said drum and effective during linear movement to produce a predetermined angular rotation of said drum. 